Recommendations

THE INCREASED DIFFICULTY OF CONCENTRATION is Air Liquide's double-disc introduction to the American market. It can be seen, in many ways, as a compilation of their early work. The 'Air' disc covers their more ambient and mellow tracks, from the eerie, beatless "Things Happen" to the sensuous "Unraveling My Curls" or the blippy "Synsonic." "Cassiopeia" drifts out in space with static and titchy sounds, while the full 'Robot War Symphony' rounds out the disc, from the long synth pads of "System Engaged" to the electro-funk of "Unlocked" or the sedate groove of "Psychocandies," culminating with the long tones of "One Below Zero." The 'Liquid' disc offers more upbeat techno tracks, starting with the rocking Bionaut mix of "Liquid Air" and the solid thump of "This is Not a Mind Trip." "Imago" gets twitchier with the acid, and the title track takes the listener on a smooth ride. "Sonority Canon" is a straight-up banger, while "Ek-Stasis" reveals in the acid before letting the angular melodies of "Tongues of Fire" burn their way into your brain. "Theme From Robot Wars" caps this disc with another techno bang. With a number of repeat tracks, however, it might be worth asking if this album is worth buying. To which, I'd answer yes, not only for the unique tracks here, but for the existence of one track alone, "The Ballad of the Nameless Guitar Player," a sublime piece of ambience, quiet and haunting, equal in power and emotion as Biosphere's "Times When I Know You'll Be Sad." Utterly gorgeous.

This is the sickest one...of internal trips that is. Acid house and mimalism and some ambient floatscapes fluttering and abound with Mary S. Applegates hippy-esque song scapes to boot. Only recently discovered this and I am blown away by its complex and intricate parts. Like Pete Namlook at points and then deeply djax in others. Thee early Cologne sound. Glorious!